After refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker, an F-16 Fighting Falcon continues it's close air support mission over Iraq. The KC-135 is part of the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Southwest Asia, while the F-16 is deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to Balad Air Base, Iraq.
(U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Brian Ferguson)

Sweden’s government is trying to cut a deal with India for that country to buy Saab’s next generation Gripen fighter jet. Meetings took place last week in India, the end result being that Sweden and India signed an agreement to conduct enhanced “dialogue” on key defence issues such as aviation and combat training.

Last month France and India struck a deal that laid the groundwork for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighters.

Meanwhile Lockheed Martin has confirmed that it has an offer into India to build F-16s in India. Lockheed Martin officials revealed at the Singapore air show (which just wrapped up) that negotiations are underway.

India operates 650 fighter jets, many of them aging and some industry analysts see it operating a fleet of various aircraft to meet its needs.

This Week's Flyers

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.